Receptacle



Jan. 3, 1933. C, P WELLMAN Y 1,892,715

RECEPTACLE Filed March 4, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 3, 1933. C, p,-WELLMAN 1,892,715

RECEPTACLE Filed March 4. 19 3O 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,Wilprrze Jan. 3, 1933.c. P. WELLMAN 1,892,715

RECEPTACLE Filed March 4, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ffy'. 1a

Patented Jan. 3, 1933 CHARLES P. WEILLHAN, F WEST MEDFOBD, IASSACEUSETTSBECEPTACLE Application led larok 4, 1930. Serial No. 488,009.

This invention relates to receptacles having more than four side facesand an end wall, of any suitable material usually pa r or cardboard, andto flat and partially fol ed i or closed blanks ca able of being formedinto such receptacles. Vhen I refer to a receptacle in thisspecification, I do not exclude such receptacles as caps, cups, covers,trays,

, or carton having an open side top or bottom. J This invention aims toprovide receptacles having more than four side faces, and hencepossessing any or all of the advantages of such receptacles of wideadaptability to contain non-rectangular objects, of novelty anddistinctiveness of shape, or of economy in wall area relative to volumeenclosed, but which nevertheless are capable of easyland rapidmanufacture by automatic machinery, are particularly adapted for easyand tight closure, and sealing if desired, and are neat in appearance,avoiding when desired any necessity of exposed flaps, ilanges'orexterior surface irregularities or lines `of weakness and disigurementwhich interfere with the aixing or imprinting of advertising ordecorative matter smoothly on the outer faces of the receptacle.

Receptacles of which adjacent side walls form obtuse interior angles andwhich are made according to my invention are particularly adapted toserve as protecting receptacles for fragile articles, the manner ofdisposal of the receptacle material affording improved strength andrigidity.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thisexplanation of my invention and of typical species of receptacles andreceptacle-forming blanks exemplifying my invention and shown in theVaccoifnpanying drawings. y

My invention is of particular utility in providing receptacles having anend intimately connected with more than four side walls, receptaclesaccording to my4 invention having, if desired, side Walls and an ehd sotightly sealed or otherwise fastened together as to be substantiallyfree from leak- @D age through the joints.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a plan vie cording to my invention;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are schematic perspective views illustrative of apreferred order of folding and aixing various sections of the blank toform finally theY receptacle of Fig. 4;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the receptacle complete y closed;

Fig. 6 shows in plan an alternate form of 60 blank according to myinvention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a receptacle formed from the blank ofFig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of another form of blank according to myinvention;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view ofv an open rece tacle formed from theblank of Fig. 8;

ig. 10 is a. perspective view of the receptacle of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the 70 line 11-11 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a colla sed tube which may be made from theblan of Fig. 8 in connection with an alternate method of forming areceptacle therefrom;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the tube of Flg. 12 when opened;

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are perspective views similar to Fig. 13 andillustrating an order of folding parts of the blank to form a closed 9rece tacle such as shown in Fig. 10; and

Fig. 17 is a plan view of an alternate form of blank according to myinvention.

In the illustrated embodiments of my invention I have provided eightsided recepa5 tacles. It will be understood that these embodimentshaving eight sides are illustrative of a large number of receptacleshavin an' end and more than four side faces, and w 'ch una7 be madeaccording to my invention.

eferring to Fig. 1, the blank shown therein formed of an lntegral sheetof oldable material, such as paper or cardboard, includes a polygonalend section 11 having more than four sides adapted to define onecomplete end '95' face of the desired receptacle having more than foursides, the shape of this end section corresponding to thecross-sectional shape of the receptacle, in the illustrated embodimentsV thatof a regular Octagon. A plurality of 10 w of a blank acret tu sideWall sections are provided at least equal in number to the sides of thepolygonal end section ll, and having Widths at 'their ends vrespectivelyequal to the lengths of the corresponding sides of the polygonal endscction. Since in the present embodiment of the invention the polygonalend section is in the form of a regular Octagon, at least eight sideWall sections are provided, and are herein shown as having their endscorresponding in width to the length of a side of the octagonal endsection.

At least two ot the side Wall sections thus provided are each directlyintegrally and flexibly joined at their ends to respective sides of thepolygonal end section. In the illustrated embodiment of the inventiontwo such side wallsect-ions l2 and 13 are thus directly joinedv toisidesof the polygonal end section ll, preferably as shown, to its oppositesides, the junction lines being defined by fold lines of increasedexibility 4l() and Lll, @ther side Wall sections of the blank not thusdirectly and flexibly joined to sides of the polygonal end section, butnecessary to form. a completely enclosing set of side Walls are flexiblyjoined at their: sides along fold lines of increased flexibility to oneor the other of the side Wall sections thus directly joined to thepolygonal end section. A group or groups of conjoined side Wall sectionsmay therefore during closing ot the blank into a receptacle be erectedas a unit relative to the polygonal end section ll and there foldedaround this end section.

Preferably as shown, the side Wall sections are disposed in two groups,one of which includes the side Wall section l2, and the other of whichincludes the side Wall section 13, these tivo groups being capable ofbeing erected relative to the polygonal end section l1 and then fastenedor connected together to forni a continuous set oi side Walls.

To enable the side Wall sections (herein shown as in two groups) to beailixed, for e2:- alnple as shown in Fig. 4 suitable overlappingsections adapted to connect adjacent side ivalls are employed.?referably as shown, such overlapping sections are provi ded in the formof additional side wall sections similar to those necessary for definingthe side 'faces .of the receptacle, and, in the erected position of thereceptacle conform to and overlap other side Wall sections. Accordingly,as shown in Fig. l, the blank tor forming the desired octagonalreceptacle is provided with side Wall sections in addition to the eightside Wall sections necessary to define the side faces of the receptacle,in the present instance side wall sections 14, 16, 18, 20, :22, and 2dbeing )flexibly connected to each other and to side Wall section l2, andside Wall sections l5, 17., 19, 2l, 23, and 25 lilrevvise being dei;Nibly connected to each other and to side Wall 1.3. In this way jointsbetween groups mesma side Wall sections may be formed by the overlappingof full-sized side Wall sections, thus avoiding exposed flaps or flangeson the er.- terior of the side Walls of the receptacle.

The blank is capable of being formed into 'an open ended carton such asshown in Fig.

d, by erecting, folding around the polygonal end section ll, andIastening together, the various side wall forming elements ot the blank.This may conveniently be accomplished by lirst applying adhesive toelements which are intended to overlap, then moving the blank as a wholerelative to folding instrumentalities capable of erecting the two groupsof side Wall sections relative to the polygonal end section, folding andoverlapping them into a tube, and lastly applying a compression to theoverlapped joints. Normally the specific instrumentalities suitable forthese operations comprise a reciprocating plunger generally conformingto the end and inner side faces of the receptacle, various movable orfixed abutments disposed around the plunger and capable of contactingwith the side Wall-forming elements of the receptacle to Wrap themaround the plunger as the plungcrmoves with respect to these abutments,and inwardly moving compressor surfaces adjacent the path of the plungerfor applying the above mentioned compression to the overlapping joints.Obviously if only the two side Wall sections l2 and 13 of the receptaclewere connected to theend section Where they abut, the receptacle wouldnot be tightly closed and would fail to attain maximum ri gidity.Accordingly connecting sections are provided for closing joints betweenthe side faces and the end of the receptacle. These connecting sections,of which six are provided in the present embodiment, indicated by thereference numbers 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, and 88,

are directly flexibly and integrally joined to respective sides of thepolygonal end section ll, so that if desired they may be erectedrelative to the end section 1l by being :forced against abutinentsduring movement of the blank by a plunger, and in the manner of foldingthe side Wall sections ot' the blank. Freferably one or more of theseconnecting sections is engaged between tivo side Wall sections o thereceptacle. For example, in the illustrated blank connecting section mayupon folding be enclosed between side Wall sections lo and l?, and/orside Wall section 83 rosy be enclosed between side Wall. sections i8 andfis stated above, l deem it preferable to form joints between the groupsof Wall sections by overlapping full-sized side Wall sections. Formaximum tightness strength and neatness of appearance, it is preferablefurther to provide suliicient of these side Wall sections to form doublethickness side walls between the two or more side Wall sections (hereinsections l2 and 18) which are directand integrally joined to thesection..

llO

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5, this result is accomplished, in areceptacle ofv eight sides, by providing fourteen side wall sections,(or twice the number of sides of the receptacle minus the number of sidewall sections directly joined to the end wall). Thus each of theconnecting sections 84 to 88 inclusive may be and preferably is,disposed between two full-sized side wall sections in the nishedreceptacle. In a finished receptacle made in this way the, connectingsections are not exposed on either the inner or outer sides of thefinished receptacle.

In order to manufacture receptacles rapidl the folding of the wallforming arts (bide wall sections and connecting sectlons) may be carriedon concurrently, Fig. 2 showing diagrammatically-all of the side wallforming elements of the blank in the process of being erected (bysuitable plunger and abutmentinstrumentalities not shown) andparticularly showing the two groups of side wall sections being foldedinto their ultimate enclosing positions relative to each other. Fig. 3,which shows the side wall forming elements more nearly completelyfolded, shows also the preferred relative positions of connectingsections intermediate side wall sections' of opposite groups.

The fact that the end section 11 has more than four sides, and hence hasinterior angles between its sides greater than ninety degrees is ofparticular advantage in erecting and folding the side wall formingelements of the blank in a rapid and expeditious manner. Referring toFigs. 1 and 2, the formation of the receptacle involves the simultaneousfold-- ing of adjacent connecting and full-sized side wall sections, indifferent directions and above respective angularly related fold lines.For example connecting section 83 and the entire group of side wallsections including the adjacent section 18 are preferably in -motionsimultaneously, section 18 around fold lines 18' and 40. and section 83moving around fold line 83. The obtuse angle between fold lines 40 and83 permits the adjacent edges of sections 83 and 18 to clear upon aslight folding of these sections, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus likelihood ofinterference between parts of the blank during folding is prevented, andpermits the folding operations to be carried on with rapidity. Thisautomatic clearing of adjacent connecting and side wall sections may beattained in a blank as shown without cutting away the connectingsections adjacent the side Wall sections. Referring to Fig. 1, freeouter edges of the connection sections, 83, 85, 86 and 88 are parallelto and adjacent ends of respective side wall sections and are preferablyseparated therefrom only by sl`ts 99, such as those made by singlecutting knives which do not remove any substantial pieces of the stock.The likelihood of thin slivers (intended to be moving removed) remainingbetween these adjacent parts of the blank and interferin with the neatassembly of the receptacle is t us avoided, while the connectin sections83, 85,86 and 88 are not decrease in area by cutting away of material toprovide for clearance.

This arrangement in the blank of connecting sections joined to sides ofthe end section, permits these connecting sections, after beine foldedinto the planes of the side walls, an overlapped with one or moresdewall sections, to be subjected to the compression utilized in fasteningthe side wall sections. This is of advantage in glueing together theoverlapping parts of a rece tacle, as the connecting sections ma be aXed by pressure to the side wall sections by the same or similarinstrumentalities which afiix the side wall sections, and glued jointsbetween these connecting sections and the side wall sections may be madeas tight and strong as those between overlapped side wall sections.

Referring to Fig. which shows a complete receptacle made in the abovedescribed manner from the blank of Fig. 1, the end section 11 of morethan four sides is free intermediate its edges of any line of weaknessand disfigurement of the type caused by folding flat material uponitself and subsequently unfolding it. Thus this end of the receptacle issuitable to bear advertising or decorative matter, and is furthermorestrong and without tendency to buckle. v

Suitable structure for closing the end of the carton or receptacleopposite to end section 11 is shown in Figs. 1 to 4 as illustrative ofyarious types of end closures which may be employed for this last closedend. Referring to Fig. 1 inner and outer sections 90 and 97 are fiexiblyjoined respectively to the ends of side wall sections 13 and 12.Joint-closure sections 91 and 92. preferably7 having, as shown.outwardly flaring side edges, are iiexibly joined to ends of side wallsections 16 and 22. and triangular jointclosure sections 93. 94. 95 and96 are iiexiblv joined to outer ends of side wall sections 14. 18. and24. A preferred order of closing I the end closure sections is first tofold sec-v tion 90 from its upstanding position shown in Fig. 4,transversely of the side walls of a the receptacle into end closingposition. This inner end wall section. since it conforms generally tothe inner cross sectional dimensions Aof the carton, serves as apositioning member ac'nrately to dispose the flexibly joined side wallsin their desired angular relation and thus insure accurate sealing ofthe receptacle. Joint-closure sections 91 and 92 are then preferablyfolded over and aixed to section 90, following which the triangularjoint-closure sections 93, 94, 95 and.96 are folded down and affixed.Lastly the outer section 97 is folded down and affixed to thevreceptacle of Fig. 7 Which underlying sections and forms a complete endclosure for the receptacle substantially flush with the ends of its sideWall faces as shown in Fig. 5.

The alternate form of blank of Fig. 6 differs from that of Fig. 1 inrelative proportions of the side walls and end section, in the absenceof end closure elements for closing the open octagonal end of thereceptacle, and further in the provision of only enough side Wallsections to provide overlapped joints of a Width equal to that of a.single side wall section rather than that of three side Wall sections asin the previouslyT described embodiment. Since, however, sections of theblank and receptacle of Figs. G and 7 correspond to sections of theblank and receptacle of the previously described embodiment, thesesections are designated in Figs. 6 and 7 by corresponding referencenumerals With the addition of the letter (z. Referring to Fig. 6theblank shown therein includes an octagonal end section 11El in theform of a regular Octagon. having joined thereto at opposite sides, andflexibly through the provision of fold lines of increased flex ibility49a and 41a. side Wall sections l2 and 13?. To side Wall section 12a arefiexiblv joined the side jvall sections 16a. 18a, 20a and .22 While tosidewall section 13 are flexibly joined side Wall sections 17, 19a, 21and 235. Connecting sections 83, 84, 85, 86a, 87a and 88a are flexiblyjoined to the remaining sides ofthe octagonal end section 11a asin thepreviously described embodiment. The side wall sections and connectingsections of the blank of Fig. 6 may be erected relative to the octagonalend section 11 and fastened together in a manner similar to' thatdescribed for the blank of Fig. 1, the order of folding'and afixing theside Wall and the connecting sections preferably being such that thesesections lie in the positions shown 1n Fig. 7 inthe completedreceptacle. The is of octagonal form is obviously suitable for use as a.tray, capor cover. which may cooperate Witha similar and interfittingreceptacle, or serve as a cover, bottom or end for a separately7 formedtube. i

The modified form of blank of' Fig. 8 and the receptacle made therefromand shown in following figures illustrate the application of the abovedescribed principles of inv invention to receptacles having polygonalend sections of more than four sides and capable of closure in tivodifferent orders as desired for filling through either aside or an end.In the blank of Fig. 8 and in Figs. 9 to 16, Wall sections aredesignated by reference numerals corresponding to those eniployed inFigs. i to 5 with the addition of the letter ti.

Referring to Fig. 8 the blank shown there-- i,sa2,715

in includes the octagonal end section 11" in the foim of an irregularOctagon and the side wall sections 12b and 13b joined thereto atopposite sides and defined by fold lines of increased fiexibility, 4Gband 41h. To side Wall section 12b are fiexibly joined the side wallsections 14", 16D, 18h, Q0", 22h and 2t, While to side Wall sect-ion 13hare flexibly joined the side vwall sections 15", 17h, 19h, Q1", Q3", and25h. Connecting sections 83", 81th, 85, 8G", 87 and 885 are fiexiblyjoined to sides of the octagonal end section 1lb intermediate thedirect-ly joined side wall sections 12b and 13, connecting sections 84hand 8T preferably having the shape of a full side wall of the finishedreceptacle.

The parts of the blank of Fig. 8 thus far described are adapted tocooperate to form., if desired. a receptacle having an open top or end.in oid'er to close this open end I afer to provide another end section11a similar to end section 1lb and fiexibly joined to the side Wallsection 12b along the fold line 400, At the opposite side of this endsection 11e a flap-30 is flexibly joined thereto along the fold line 41,Connecting sections 83e, 84, 85e, 86e. 87e and 88B are flexibly joinedto sides of the octagonal end section 11e intermediate the two directlyjoined side Wall and flap sections 12b and 30. l

As in the blank of Fig. l. connecting sections 83", 85", 86h and 88bhave free edges parallel and adjacent to end edges of adjacent side wallsections and are separated therefrom only by narrow slits 99.

The blank of Fig. 8 may be formed into the open receptacle of Fig. 9 forexample by the same operations involved iii forming the open receptacleof Fig. 3 from the blank of Fig. 1, the parts occupying correspondingosit-ions-in the open receptacle. In folding this blank, thenon-perpendicular relation of the fold lines about which side wallsections and adjacent connecting sections fold, facilitates rapidfolding of these parts Without interference.

The receptacle of Fig. 9 may be filled from its open top and then closedby folding over its top end section 11 and tucking in its flap 3() andconnecting sections 83e. 84". 85". 86e, 87@ and 88, the Wall sections84, 87e and the closing flap 30 preferably lying face to face With sideivali sections of the receptacle. Thus as shown in Fig. 11 one of theside Walls of the closed receptacle formed by the cooperating wallsections 22h. 23h, 87"4 and 87e comprises four thicknesses of materialeach of which is an extension of another of the side Wall sections ofthe receptacle. ln this Way a very rigid structure is obtained.

'in the alternate method of forming the blank of Fig. 8 into areceptacle the flap 30 may be turned over upon the section 11 by foldingalong the line 41e and section 13b may be laid upon iap 3G, by foldingaiong the line lid", and side wall section 13D axed to Hap 80, forinstance by means of pressure and previously applied adhesive, the blankthus having the collapsed tubular formof Fig. 12 in which it mayconveniently be shipped or stored.

The collapsed tube of Fig. 12 may be opened into the open tube of Fig.13 suitable to receive contents through either of its ends, whereuponthe ends of the tube may readily be closed by externally operatinginst-rumentalities. .Preferably side wall section 87 is first foldedinto the end closing position of Fig. 4 then side wall sections 20", 22band 24:b are folded relative to their attached side wall section 12b andrelative to each other to coniforrn to the marginal contour ofoppositely disposed end wall sections l1b and 11e as shown in Fig. 15.The connecting sections 86", 87b and 88b are then .folded into endclosing position overlapping sections 24", 22b and 20h, and preferablyfastened in this position for instance by adhesive. Side wall sections21", 23" and 25b are then preferably folded and affixed in the positionsof Fig. 10.

rlhe alternate form of blank shown in Fig. 17 is in general similar tothe blank of Fig. 8 and may likewise be formed into receptacles in twodifferent orders of folding but is provided with a smaller number ofconnecte ing section. The various sections of the blank of Fig. 17correspond to those of the blank of Fig. 8 and accordingly aredesignated by the same reference numerals with the addition of theletters c and f. The blank of Fig. 17 dii'ers from that of Fig. 8 inthat side wall sections 22c and 28c are so proportioned relative to eachotlgi; nd to side Wall sections 87 and 87t that up `n folding into theirultimate positions side wall sections 22 and 23 do not overlap butsubstantially abut g1' and are overlapped by sections 87 and 87.Accordingly in the folding of these sections into their ultimatepositions side wall sections 2.2c and 23c may, if desired, be foldedsimultaneously, instead of successively as in the case orl the blank ofFig. '8. li claim:

l. Receptacle-forming blank of foldable material comprising an endsection having more than four sides, a plurality of side wall sections,substantially equal in width to respective sides ofsaid, end section,said side wall sections being arranged in two groups of f flexiblyjoined sections the said sections in each group being deined byintervening told lines adapted to mark the corners of the completedreceptacle, one section of each of said groups being directly,integrally andV flexibly joined at an end to a side of said end section,and a plurality of connectin sections directly integrally and flexiblyjoined at their ends to each of the other sides of said end section,respectively, the number of the side wall sections in said two groupslbeing equal to twice the number of sides of said end section minus two.

2. Receptacle formed of an integral sheet of foldable material andcomprising an end wall of more than four sides, a pair of groups ofconjoined side wall sections, the said sections in each group beingdefined by inter vening lines of increased flexibility upon which thematerial is folded and which mark the corners of thereceptacle,.sections of each group corresponding in width at one end tothe-lengths of respective sides of said end wall, two side wallsections, one from each of said groups, being directly and integrallyjoined to non-adjacent sides of said end wall,

'other side wall sections of each group extending in opposite directionsaround sides of the end wall to the directly joined side wall section ofthe other group, whereby to provide multi-thickness side walls extendingfrom one to the other of the two side wall sections which are directlyjoined to the end wall, and a connecting section directly and integrallyjoined to a side of said end wall and lying face to face with athickness of one of the said multi-thickness side walls.

l3. Receptacle formed of an yintegral sheet of foldable material andcomprising an end wall of more than four sides, a pair of groups ofconjoined side wall sections the said sections in each group beingdefined by intervening lines of increased flexibility upon which thematerial is folded and which mark the corners of the receptacle, aplurality of sections of each group corresponding in width at one end tothe lengths of respective sides of said end wall, two of said side wallsections, one from each of said groups, being directly and integrallyjoined to respective sides of said end wall, other sections of each oupextending around sides of the end wall toward the other group, a sectionof one group being adjacent to a section of the othergroup in one of theside walls, and a connecting section directly yand integrally joined tosaid end wall and lying in the side wall containing said adjacentsections, saidncon* necting section having the shape of a side Wall ofthe receptacle.

4. Receptacle formed of an integral sheet of foldable material andcomprising an end wall of more than four sides, a pair of groups ofconjoined side Wall sections the said sections in each group beingdefined by inter vening Vlines of increased flexibility upon which'thematerial is folded and which mark the corners of the receptacle, aplurality of sections of each group corresponding in width at one end tothe lengths of respective sides of said end wall, two of said side wallsections, one from each of said groups being directly and integrallyjoined to respective sides of said end wall, other sections of eachgroup extending around sides of the end wall toward the other group, asection Lanarte of one of said groups overlying a section of the othergroup to form a multi-thiclmess wall of the receptacle, and a connectingsection directly and integrally joined to a side 5 of said end wallnon-adjacent to one of the sides to which a side Wall section is joined,and lying between and glued to the two overlying side Wall sections.

5. Receptacle forming lolani-ir comprising a lo side Wall section, apolygonal end section ot more than four sides flexibly joined at one ofits sides to an end of said side Wall section, another side Wall sectionexibly joined to another side of said end section and a second i5polygonal end section of more than four sides flexibly joined to theopposite end ot said last-named side wall section, other side Wallsections flexibly joined to sides of said side Wall sections, andconnecting sections 2o flexibly joined to .other sides of said twopolygonal end sections respectively.

6. An octagonal receptacle comprising an integral sheet of foldablematerial in the form of an octagonal end section, two oppoa5 site groupsof rectangular side Wall sections, the said sections in each group beingdened by intervening lines of increased iexibility upon which thematerial is folded and Which mark the corners of the receptacle, each of3o said groups of side Wall sections having therein at least fivesections, one of which is directly flexibly connected to a side of saidend section, the two groups of side Wall sections being folded aroundthe said end section 535 :1nd being fastened together at opposite sidesl thereof, and a plurality of connecting sections comprising integralextensions of other sides of the said end section and fastened toadjacent side Wall sections.

flo Signed by me at Boston, Mass., this third day of March, 1930.

CHARLES l). WELLMAN.

om In nl fin

